Tag: packaging

Solving the Furniture Industry’s Damaged Goods Dilemma

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Furniture manufacturers face a common challenge; goods becoming damaged during transit.

The logistics of shipping bulky and irregularly shaped items often result in them arriving at their destination in less-than-ideal condition. However, a growing number of manufacturers are discovering a solution to this problem through investment in Right Size packaging technology, with companies like Panotec leading the charge.

The Damaged Goods Dilemma

For furniture manufacturers, damaged goods represent more than just a financial setback. They impact customer trust, harm brand reputation, and disrupt your supply chain. The nature of furniture, large, heavy, and often fragile makes it particularly susceptible to damage during transit. Traditional one-size-fits-all packaging methods often fall short of protecting these items, leading to an alarming rate of returns.

Right Size Packaging

Right Size packaging has changed the way furniture manufacturers approach packaging. Instead of using standardised boxes that leave unused space and excessive void filler, Right Size packaging involves customising packaging to fit each product’s exact dimensions. This tailored approach minimises wasted space, reduces the risk of product movement during transit, and enhances overall protection.

Who Are Panotec?

Panotec is a leader in automated packaging solutions, offering various systems that enable furniture manufacturers to optimise their packaging processes. By leveraging Panotec’s automated systems, manufacturers can produce custom-sized boxes on demand, ensuring that each item is packaged securely and efficiently. This not only reduces the likelihood of damage during transit but also streamlines operations and cuts down on material waste.

Benefits Beyond Damage Prevention

Investing in Right Size packaging with Panotec offers a host of benefits beyond mitigating damaged products. Manufacturers can enjoy cost savings through reduced shipping expenses and material usage. The efficiency gains achieved through automation enable companies to allocate resources more effectively, improving overall productivity and profitability. Additionally, embracing sustainable packaging practices aligns with consumer’s growing preference for eco-friendly brands.

Work with Ribble Packaging

Ribble Packaging has already been able to enhance the speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of furniture packaging processes for the likes of Wren Kitchens, One Call Furniture, Magnet and BA Components to name but a few by adopting Right Size packaging with Panotec.

As the furniture industry continues to evolve, packaging will play an increasingly important role in shaping the customer experience. By prioritising investment in Right Size packaging technology, manufacturers can stay ahead of the curve and position themselves for long-term success.

If you would like to discuss the possibilities of Panotec, get in contact.

Packaging Processes Have Moved On, Have You?

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Automation is everywhere these days, from self-driving cars to smart home devices, it seems like we’re all on a mission to make life a little easier. Which asks the question, when was the last time you reviewed your packaging process? And could you benefit from exploring the new automated capabilities they now hold?

Packaging Automation

Automation can be implemented across various stages of the packaging process, from box forming to labelling and palletising. The idea is to only get what you need, starting small with automation modules and expanding as needed, allowing for growth and adaptation to your changing business requirements.

Each Stage at a Glance

Measuring Station: Using sensors to measure dimension and weight.

Box Production: Corrugated or die-cutters will cut, fold and glue your box into the desired shape.

Box Forming: Taking flat card and shaping it into the desired form.

Coupling Box and Product: Utilising pick and place machines, robotic arms, or conveyor belts to handle the product in position.

Box Closing: Sealing the box securely.

Labelling: With sensors and actuators attached as predetermined.

Palletising: Stacking boxes onto pallets in a certain pattern, often with a control system to optimise the stack.

Benefits of Packaging Automation

Firstly, automation leads to substantial labour savings by reducing the need for manual intervention in packaging processes. This not only cuts down on labour costs but also minimises the risk of human error, resulting in higher quality outputs and reduced wastage, saving multiple costs around the business.

Automation will also drive increased productivity by enabling packaging processes to run faster and more consistently. Tasks that once took hours to complete can now be accomplished in a fraction of the time, helping to meet tight deadlines and customer demands with ease.

Is Automation Right for You?

Before you take the automation plunge, it’s worth taking stock of where you stand. Assess factors such as production volume, product variability, and budget. Conducting a thorough analysis of these factors can help determine the potential return on investment (ROI) of purchasing an automation packaging machinery and justify the initial investment costs.

Ribble Packaging are here to help

By leveraging packaging automation, businesses like yours can reap the benefits of packaging automation and achieve significant cost savings, improve productivity, and deliver higher quality products to customers. So why wait? Take the first step towards streamlining your packaging processes today.

If you want to speak about your packaging needs in greater detail, get in contact or call us at Ribble Packaging on 0161 284 9000. With over 80 years of packaging expertise, we help streamline your packaging processes to reduce waste and restore profits.

How to reduce your packaging spend when prices are going up

Posted on by definitionconsulting

With prices rising throughout the supply chain, many companies will be looking for ways to help reduce costs. One way businesses can do this is through their packaging costs.

When did you last review why you are using the packaging design and components that you are using? Do you need all of the components you are currently using?  Is there a better way to package this product?

Challenging your current packaging design can result in large potential savings, the packaging market is very dynamic and as a result new materials and systems are being launched regularly.  By sticking with the status-quo you risk losing out on savings that could be made by changing to a more cost-effective packaging design.

What items can you eliminate from your packaging process?  Often extra packaging is added to items to compensate for an underlying root problem.  This is neither a lean nor cost effective solution.  Analysing the process may identify unnecessary packaging items within your packaging.

Reduce your packaging costs by changing to a Right-Size packaging solution

Whether you are a manufacturer of one product or a retailer of many, using Right Size packaging allows you to create a more sustainable packaging process while reducing your packaging costs.
Right Size solutions combine Ribble’s industry leading Fanfold material and state of the art technology to create the perfect size box for all your products.

This product is flexible, cost-effective and can be converted into Fanfold packaging which is a long piece of corrugated board scored at regular intervals and folded neatly and compactly. Fanfold can then be used to pack single or multiple products by feeding it into fully automated packaging machines to create an exact size box and therefore, eliminate waste.

Ribble Packaging are the European market leader for the manufacture and supply of corrugated Fanfold, in addition to pioneering Right Size packaging solutions in the UK.

Benefits of changing to a Right-Size packaging solution:

  • Save around 30-40% on packaging costs by using Right Size and only buying fanfold
  • Eliminate obsolete packaging purchases by making only the boxes you require
  • Eliminate plastic packaging by using the Right Size box
  • Reduce transport costs by fitting more onto vehicles

How Ribble can help?

At Ribble, our Right Size packaging can help your business save money, plastic packaging, and transport costs. Contact us today to see how our packaging can benefit your business.

How Right Size Technology can save you thousands on fuel and energy costs

Posted on by definitionconsulting

In 2020 1.27 billion tonnes of goods were carried by trucks and HGVs across the UK, covering 16.2 billion road miles.

Due recent socioeconomic and political factors the cost to fuel these HGVs has risen by £173 per week. Diesel has hit a record high of £1.70 per litre, while petrol now costs an average of £1.61 per litre.

With fuel and energy costs soaring; Inflation is at its highest level for over 30 years, with much of these rises passed onto the consumer as firms simply cannot absorb such significant increases (Elizabeth de Jong, Logistics UK).

 

What’s Happening Now?

Fuel accounts for a third of an HGV’s annual operating cost.”  So ‘The Road Haulage Association’ wants the Government to freeze fuel duty for two years. It also wants an “essential user” rebate for lorry and coach firms of 15p per litre introduced.

Rising fuel prices are putting further pressure on retail supply chains. This adds to cost pressures from labour shortages, commodity price increases and rising energy prices in consequence, until some pressures ease, it’s likely prices will continue to rise.

Meanwhile, analysis shows the annual average cost of running a typical family car, including fuel, has shot up by nearly £300. Many consumers are having to choose between purchasing food, heating their homes or putting petrol in their cars.

 

How Ribble Right Size Can Help?

Many people overlook the importance of packaging when it comes to shipping goods, but an efficient and effective packaging supply is essential to keeping the product safe and most importantly keeping customers happy.

Ribble Right Size solutions improve vehicle utilisation by 25%. This means companies who have implemented Right Size can fit 25% more product in each vehicle drastically decreasing fuel consumption.

By Right Sizing your packaging supply you will gain the ability to create the perfect size box for all your products on-site, on-demand, eliminating any wasted space in your packages and therefore any wasted space in your transport vehicle.

With Right Size there is no need for additional protective packaging materials such as bubble wrap or Styrofoam peanuts as your boxes will now fit your products perfectly, increasing product protection, decreasing the weight of your packages, and making your packaging process fully sustainable.

There are also many other benefits of using our Right Size solutions. These include up to a 30% reduction in packaging costs, savings on labour costs through increased automation, increased warehouse space and more.

Every cubic inch of your packaging that doesn’t contain your product is costing you money. By introducing Right Size Technology, you can get more boxes in each vehicle, meaning fewer journeys and less money spent on fuel and diesel.

 

How to eliminate plastic packaging from your business

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Now that the plastic packaging tax has come into effect, many businesses should be thinking about ways to reduce or eliminate plastic packaging. Getting rid of plastics from your business’ everyday practices can make a huge impact, and it’s easy to do with a few small changes.

Many businesses find that amending their policies is a powerful way to reduce single-use plastics. This might include asking suppliers to pack without plastic and requesting reusable, returnable, or sustainable packaging such as recycled cardboard boxes or ‘jackets’ to replace plastic wrap on pallets.

If that’s not possible, you might want to look beyond your current suppliers and see if there are others out there offering more sustainable packaging and solutions.

When it comes to doing business, you can make a difference by offering reused packaging to your customers. For example, some retailers keep cardboard boxes on hand for customers who forget their bags instead of throwing them away. Some companies that ship orders use shredded paper to protect products instead of bubble wrap.

 

The alternatives to plastic packaging

There are also many alternatives to plastic packaging. Anything that a business does to become more sustainable is ultimately helpful. This is particularly true with bubble wrap, as there are many alternatives that your business can use. Some alternatives include:

  • Compostable mailers
  • Corrugated packaging
  • Biodegradable packing peanuts
  • Mushroom packaging
  • Seaweed packaging
  • GreenWrap

There are more than these, and many of them can be reused or recycled, so they are kept in use for longer and help reduce waste.

 

Ribble’s solution to plastic packaging

Ribble also has ways to eliminate or at least reduce plastic packaging. Our Right Size packaging is an easy way to reduce the amount of packaging you use, and therefore reduce the amount of waste. Right Size solutions combine Ribble’s industry leading Fanfold material and state of the art technology to create the perfect size box for all your products.

We have a simple 4-step process for our Right Size solutions.

  1. Enter your box style and dimensions.
  2. Select how many you require.
  3. The box is produced within seconds.
  4. Your products are packaged in the perfect sized box.

There are also various benefits of using our Right Size solutions. These include up to 30% reduction in packaging costs, labour saving, increased warehouse space, elimination of void fillers, and more.

 

To find out more about how Ribble’s Right Size solutions can help your business reduce or eliminate its plastic packaging usage, contact us today.

Protective & sustainable packaging

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Have you ever thought about how much excess packaging comes with new furniture?

The truth is that sometimes we get more than we need, and it’s understandable because the manufacturer only includes the extra foam, bubble wrap or tissue paper to protect the items whilst in transit to their destination. However, Right Size solutions offer a more effective and sustainable alternative to furniture packaging.

What are the Ribble Right Size solutions?

Right Size solutions enable the customisation and creation of the correct sized box for pieces of furniture.

Create protective and sustainable furniture packaging.

At Ribble Packaging, not only is our priority creating packaging that is kind to the environment, we also create packaging that protects the products inside. With custom made, recycled fittings that are placed around the product inside, customers can rest assured that their product will arrive to them safely.

The secure and protective fittings mean that products arrive at their destination, undamaged while still reducing excess fillings and saving space.

Perfect-sized boxes are created within minutes using Ribble’s fanfold corrugated board and Panotec machine technology.

The box on-demand service can be installed on-site and gives manufacturers a choice to input the size of the product manually or automatically through a barcode or a 3D scanner system.

Additionally, manufacturers can enter the works order to ensure the correct number of boxes is made for the particular piece of furniture.

What are the benefits of using Right Size?

No more excess packaging 

Right Size packaging will protect assembled or flat-pack furniture, which removes the need to add unnecessary and excessive protective fillers, including plastic cushioning material, ultimately creating a 100% recyclable packaging process for all your furniture products.

Savings on packaging costs 

Right Size solutions can create a 30% saving on packaging costs and remove the need to fill minimum order quantities from suppliers. Furthermore, the box on-demand creates the perfect-size box every time, so there is no longer the need to stock-pile wrong sized boxes.

Customer satisfaction 

Presenting customers with the perfect-sized, 100% recyclable packaging for their furniture is sure to put a smile on their faces, in addition to showing that you are taking steps to fulfil your corporate social responsibilities.

If you’d like more information on how you could save up to 30% on your packaging costs, get in touch with us today.

How sustainable is your Christmas packaging?

Posted on by definitionconsulting

It’s that time of year again. The time that we do everything in excess, from food, to spending.

But does that mean you have to have an unsustainable Christmas?

As we all know, Christmas can be a time for spending time with loved ones and exchanging gifts, but with it is estimated that around 1 in 4 households will be generating up to 5 bags of rubbish this Christmas!

Much of children’s toys are packaged in plastic or oversized packaging which is bulky and often unnecessary for the size of the present inside. On top of that, there is wrapping paper which, often, you are unable to recycle, which then doubles the amount of waste.

Let’s not forget about the Christmas dinner. Single use plastics have come to the forefront of the sustainable packaging discussion, many of which occur as a result of food packaging.

How can you make your Christmas more sustainable?

It is everybody’s responsibility, to make small changes this Christmas in an effort to reduce the amount of waste created within the household. So, we have put together a few pointers that may help you make some more sustainable choices.

Recyclable wrapping paper

If you’re unsure about what wrapping paper can be recycled and what can’t, it’s important to check with your local recycling centre. Recycle Now have some great pointers on what you can do to ensure that your paper does actually get recycled if accepted at your local centre, including:

  • Making sure all sticky tape, bows and ribbons are removed before recycling
  • Only recycling simple wrapping paper that doesn’t have any glitter or foil as these cannot be recycled.

Present sacks

Another way to reduce the waste this Christmas is to purchase some present sacks & stockings. These can be brought back out every Christmas and eliminate the need to wrap your gifts or find recyclable wrapping paper.

Food & drinks using sustainable packaging

Many supermarkets are introducing refillable packaging services within their stores and this is likely to continue. Why not check out your local supermarket to see if there are any ingredients in your Christmas dinner that could be switched out for a more sustainably packaged option?

Ribble Right Size

At Ribble our aim is to introduce Right Size packaging to more and more manufacturers so that we can help reduce the overall waste when it comes to cardboard packaging.

 

Get in touch today to find out more about the benefits of Right Size.

Packaging in 2022 – The key solutions for the New Year

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Since the beginning of the pandemic, retail has seen a significant shift to ecommerce shopping methods. With that brings increased need for additional packaging when transporting and shipping goods.

As a result, this will continue to increase the need for more sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging solutions.

We have been exploring the key packaging solutions that we believe will become increasingly popular in the new year.

Packaging Automation

With COVID 19 continuing to be a threat across the globe, the automation of packaging will continue to be important for many manufacturers and distributors. This will reduce the amount of workers needed within one space and overall costs to the business too.

Not only that, automating your process will allow the business to increase their targets, which will continue to improve efficiency.

Ecommerce Packaging

The shift in consumer behaviour since the beginning of the pandemic is highly unlikely to ever return to pre-COVID levels. As a result, consumers will continue to expect a smooth and flawless experience – from browsing their purchase to placing their order and its delivery.

This means every detail, right down to the packaging must impress. Consumers are aware of the environmental issues facing the planet and with that they expect to see changes to the ways in which their goods are packaged and delivered to them. Reducing unnecessary and excess packaging is a crucial step in that process.

Reusable Packaging

Reusable packaging has become very popular in recent years and can be seen in more and more shapes and forms. Whether that is reusable plastic for cleaning products or paper bags that can also be used as wrapping paper.

When packaging isn’t necessarily reusable, it is important for consumers that it is made from recycled materials or can be recycled once used.

Ribble Right Size

At Ribble our Right Size Packaging solutions allows you to reduce excess packaging and create a sustainable alternative that reduces costs by creating custom packaging solutions to meet your needs. We use 100% recycled cardboard that is 100% recyclable, meaning it is the perfect sustainable solution.

The benefits for choosing Right Size can be seen in the reduced need for void fillers within your boxes due to the packaging being custom created for whatever you are distributing; you can improve your vehicle utilisation by up to 25% and the creation of a more environmentally sustainable packaging process.

Get in touch today to discuss how Right Size can improve your business packaging solutions.

The Lifecycle of a Cardboard Box: Corrugated Packaging & The Circular Economy

Posted on by definitionconsulting

The environmental impact of materials and products has become a growing talking point across many industries because of the huge amounts of waste going to landfill. It’s time to make a change and we’re here to share with you the many benefits of adopting a circular economy.

A lot more goes into the lifecycle of a cardboard box to make it eco-friendly, than you might think and the process of being environmentally friendly starts early on. In fact, 80% of a product’s environmental impact is locked in at the design stage!

What is the circular economy?

Traditionally, the economy used to operate a linear model, where we would make a product, use it and then dispose of it. The difference with a circular economy is that resources are kept in use for as long as possible by extracting the most value from them at every stage when in use and at the end of their life by recovering and regenerating products and materials.

Moving from a “make, use, dispose of” to a “make/remake, use/reuse” process.

How does the lifecycle of corrugated cardboard relate to a circular economy?

The circular economy is just the way of life for the corrugated packaging industry. After all, it is one of the most recycled paper products. as its 100% recyclable and biodegradable. At Ribble Packaging, all our corrugated papers are FSC Certified meaning that all the papers used can be traced as far back to the specific tree that they came from. Here’s a summary of what happens at each stage…

The Circular Economy Model

Stage 1: Design & Manufacture (using raw materials to create a product)

When designing a product, the designer must consider how a product will be collected and recycled after use, how to select materials and processes that reduce any impact on the environment and lastly, how they can extend the life of the product.

Stage 2: Retailer (selling a product to consumer)

In the circular economy, there’s an opportunity for retailers to improve customer experience and connect with new customers on a deeper level by establishing shared values concerning the environment. Consumers are demanding these days with online retailers playing a particularly big role in the delivery of a circular economy.

The retailer should consider how they can increase the lifetime of products and how they can make it easier for consumers to recycle, resell and donate. As well as reducing packaging waste when sending products in the wrong size boxes with excessive void fillers.

Stage 3: Consumer

Whilst consumers are wanting a more sustainable world, they are reluctant to overpay for this. Therefore, it’s important to consider the consumer when pricing. Prices need to be fair and reflect quality.

Stage 4: Re-use/Repair/Repurpose product if possible

Re-use and recycling are not the same. Re-use of products and materials is more beneficial

as it retains a product’s value by keeping it in use for longer. Thus, minimising waste, creating jobs, and reducing consumption and the carbon impact it has.

To reduce the amount of product we send to landfills we need to increase the rate of re-use for products and their components. The supply chain and consumers both play an important role in this stage of the circular economy model.

Consider an incentivised return for returned products that can be refurbished and resold. As well as maximising the product lifetime to reduce repeated purchases.

Stage 5: Recycle into raw material to begin at stage 1 again.

This involves the collection, sorting and processing of disposed materials for use in other manufacturing processes. Depending on the complexity of the product being recycled, the process will vary, and care needs to be taken to maintain the integrity of materials each time they are recycled.

To conclude, the circular economy essentially feeds material back into the process ready for something new to be created using the recycled materials. In relation to corrugated boxes, a new box is created by feeding the used paper back into the cycle.

Eventually, the UK will run out of natural resources if we don’t move to a circular economy. It sounds sensationalist but the evidence is stacking up and the impact of our linear economy is becoming increasingly apparent across many industries.

If you’d like to speak to us about how Ribble is helping companies like yours to reduce their environmental impact by reducing packaging waste, give us a call on 0161 284 9000 or email info@ribble-pack.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions about Right Size Solutions

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Frequently Asked Questions about Right Size Solutions

 

As experts in Right Size Packaging, we get lots of questions from people who are interested in switching. So, we thought we’d cover the basics here and let you find out for yourself if Right Size Packaging is right for you…

 

How much does Right Size Packaging cost?

 

This is our number one question when we have a prospective customer, but the truth is – it’s not an easy one. There is no set answer as it is very dependable on what industry you work in, type of machine required and the way in which you acquire the machine. At Ribble Packaging, we offer various ways of acquiring the machine including (but not limited to) rentals, amortise and connect deals, in addition to purchasing the machines outright.

 

How many boxes can be produced per minute?

 

Right-sized boxes per minute will depend on the model of the Panotec machine you opt for. Please see below our latest estimations.

 

Nextpro – Approx. 10 boxes per minute

Evo – Approx. 4 boxes per minute

Midi – Approx. 4 boxes per minute

 

How many people are required in the warehouse to manage the system?

 

All of our Panotec machines can be run by just one operator. For a trainee operator, the process of loading a pallet, feeding the fanfold into the machine and producing a box, can be achieved in just a few minutes!

 

Depending on your business and if you choose to add on any additional automated extras such as the Scan table, E-Gluer, and Varypack, then more operators could make the process quicker and more efficient.

 

How much warehouse space will a Right Size Packaging system need?

 

Business Directors and Production Managers often worry that having a flexible packaging management system will require tonnes of space. But the truth is, you’ll actually save space by not having to store multiple shapes and sizes of packaging materials. Listed below are the approximate space requirements depending on which Panotec model you choose.

 

Nextpro operating width – 2.5m

Evo operating width – 2.5m

Midi operating width – 1.4m

 

Each machine will have different a different number of cassettes. These are essentially bays for the pallets to go in. Depending on your business requirements, this will be optimised for maximum production.

Right Size Packaging is perfect for businesses that sell products of all different shapes and sizes. By having customisable boxes on demand, companies can reduce the costs of storing packaging and benefit from having no additional filling material to purchase.

 

If you think Right Size Packaging could be for you or you have a question that we haven’t covered here, please get in touch.

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